Marine

Concrete repair, cathodic protection and structural refurbishment for coastal, port and marine infrastructure

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Sector Overview

Marine and coastal concrete assets operate in one of the harshest exposure environments in the UK built infrastructure. Continuous salt spray. Tidal wetting and drying cycles. Wave action. Marine biological attack. Ice damage in some locations. Chloride penetration accelerated by seawater exposure. The consequence is that marine reinforced concrete typically deteriorates faster than any other asset type in the UK climate, and the cost of ignoring that deterioration accelerates rapidly once corrosion is established.

CRS is positioned to deliver concrete repair, cathodic protection, structural strengthening and protective coating capability for marine and coastal infrastructure. This includes port and harbour structures, quays, jetties, sea walls, coastal defence, marine access structures and coastal building infrastructure. The technical work draws on the same core capability CRS delivers on chloride-exposed highway and car park assets, with the additional considerations that marine exposure and access require.

The specific challenges concentrate around four areas. First, chloride-driven reinforcement corrosion accelerated by continuous marine exposure, which drives the majority of marine concrete deterioration. Second, working within tidal windows and around continued port or marine operational access, which shapes both possession windows and delivery methodology. Third, access to marine structures where standard access methods often do not apply and specialist arrangements are needed. Fourth, cathodic protection specification, which is often the most cost-effective long-term intervention on marine reinforced concrete but requires specialist design against the marine exposure.

CRS is positioned to deliver into this sector through its established concrete repair, cathodic protection and protective coating capability, combined with the technical experience needed to specify appropriate systems for marine exposure. Where the client requires specific marine or port industry certifications not currently held by CRS, we work with the client to confirm the appointment structure that suits both the technical scope and the compliance requirements.

Common Challenges in this Sector

Chloride-Driven Marine Corrosion

Continuous salt exposure drives chloride penetration through the cover concrete to the reinforcement. Once the chloride threshold is reached at the steel, corrosion is active and continues regardless of whether visible spalling has yet appeared. Marine concrete without protection systems has a shorter service life than the same concrete in less aggressive environments.

Tidal & Splash Zone Exposure

The splash zone and tidal range are the most aggressive parts of a marine structure. Repeated wetting and drying accelerates chloride ingress, and wave action drives physical damage into any weakness in the surface. Repair specification and detailing needs to account for the specific zone the works are in.

Working Around Tidal Windows

Works in the tidal range are often constrained to short tidal windows, requiring rapid mobilisation, fast-cure materials and methodology that can be paused and resumed with the tide. Full working weeks around a single tidal window are common on marine projects.

Access to Marine Structures

Quays, jetties, sea walls and marine access structures often cannot be accessed by conventional methods. Boats and pontoons for waterside access, rope access from above, and specialist marine access arrangements all have their place, and the right combination depends on the structure and the tidal environment.

Cathodic Protection for Marine Environments

Cathodic protection is often the most cost-effective long-term intervention on marine reinforced concrete. Impressed current systems for large-scale marine assets and galvanic systems for localised protection both have applications, but the specification requires proper corrosion assessment and consideration of the marine exposure environment.

Coordination with Port & Marine Operators

Marine structures typically operate within a port or marine operational context. Works have to coordinate with vessel movements, berth availability, tidal windows and the operator’s operational schedule. Poor coordination causes delays and cost overruns; good coordination keeps the asset operational during the works.

How CRS Delivers for Marine

Whole life of the marine asset

CRS surveys, specifies, repairs, protects and maintains. Marine asset owners and port operators get one point of accountability for concrete works from initial condition assessment through to ongoing monitoring cycles across the operational life of the asset.

Cathodic and corrosion protection specialism

Cathodic protection systems for chloride-exposed marine reinforced concrete, delivered from initial corrosion assessment through system specification, installation and ongoing monitoring. The specification decision is informed by testing and marine exposure context, not applied by default.

Access method flexibility including rope access

IRATA Level 3 rope access is available for inspection and localised works on marine structures where conventional access is impractical. Where waterside access, boats or specialist marine arrangements are the right answer, we coordinate accordingly.

Tidal and operational-aware delivery

Works methodology, material selection and phasing are planned around the tidal environment and the operator’s marine operational schedule. Fast-cure materials, staged delivery within tidal windows and coordination with vessel movements are all standard on marine works.

Relevant Services

Our services most commonly used on projects in this sector

Recent Projects in this Sector

Related Sectors

Frequently asked questions

CRS is positioned to deliver concrete repair, cathodic protection and protective coating work in marine and coastal infrastructure. Where the client requires specific port or marine industry certifications, we work with the client at the outset to confirm the appropriate appointment structure. Please contact us directly to discuss your specific project or procurement route.

On marine reinforced concrete with established chloride contamination, cathodic protection is typically the most cost-effective long-term intervention because it stops the underlying corrosion mechanism rather than only addressing visible damage. Repair alone leaves the surrounding contaminated concrete corroding, meaning further repair cycles are inevitable. Cathodic protection extends the service life of the whole structure and is often the specified approach for high-value marine assets where whole-life cost is the evaluation criterion.

Works in the tidal range are planned around the tidal calendar, with methodology that fits within the available windows. Fast-cure repair mortars, staged installation across multiple tidal cycles, and dry-side working from access structures above the tidal range are all standard techniques. Programme is agreed at scoping so cost and timescale reflect the actual tidal constraints rather than optimistic estimates.

Yes. Rope access, waterside boat access, pontoons and specialist marine access arrangements are all available depending on the structure and the operational environment. Access method is agreed at scoping and coordinated with the port or marine operator where required.

Yes. CRS can be appointed as Principal Contractor on marine concrete works where required, with full CDM 2015 compliance. On projects delivered under an existing Principal Contractor arrangement, we work as their specialist sub-contractor and provide the technical and safety documentation their role requires.

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